Every once in a while there is a great article that is just needs to be shared on the Peternity website. This is one of them. Carol Bryant wrote a great article entitled for Pet MD entitled, “7 Ways to Unwittingly Break a Dog's Spirit.” The article is a good reminder that our pets, like humans, have spirits too.

09/01/2014

The Death of Kittens

In one large study of pedigree cats, about seven percent (7%) of all the kittens were still-born while nine percent (9%) passed away during the first one to three weeks. This study also showed that the proportion of kittens that were alive at eight (8) weeks of age varied between the breeds - from around 75 to 95 percent. Sadly the highest mortality rate was among Persian kittens.

08/27/2014

Common Household Items that can Cause a Pet’s Death

Did you know that the pretty flowers known as lilies are poisonous to pet birds or cats? Or that just the equivalent of a teaspoon of antifreeze is deadly if consumed by your cat or dog? It contains ethylene glycol which has a very sweet taste that attracts animals. However there is safer antifreeze that contains propylene glycol. Believe it or not, the souvenir travel globe you picked up on your vacation this summer has Ethylene glycol in it and should be kept out the reach of pets.

08/22/2014

Back to School Blues for Pets?

Have you ever wondered if your pets miss the kids when summertime fun ends and they have to go back to school? Have you noticed if your pet’s behavior has changed? Is your dog moping around or is the cat sleeping r meowing more than usual? Then there is always the chewing problem – sudden mischievousness. These are all behavioral symptoms that many people never connect with back-to-school time. For some pets, the back to school blues can really get them down.

08/15/2014

The Over-Population of Pets in the U.S.

The Humane Society (HSUS)* posted these figures in June 2014: “About 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs—about one every 11 seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them. But sadly, in order to help stop pet overpopulation further, the organization asks that we consider adopting pets from an animal shelter and to make certain our pets spayed or neutered.

08/09/2014

In Memory of Prairie Dog Bob

We offer parents and children an opportunity to honor pets that have passed away via Kidoodlyrocks, because we wanted to figure out a way to help children through the difficult experience of the loss of a beloved pet. A pet memorial marker, a Kidoodlyrock is engraved with a child's drawing of their pet. One of the most touching Kidoodlyrocks that we've created is in memory of a nine year old prairie dog - Prairie Dog Bob.

08/05/2014

Dealing with the Death of a Pet Guinea Pig

Many children have pet mice, rats, and guinea pigs. As when any pet’s death occurs, it is important to honor and acknowledge its death. Peternity (www.Peternity.com) has had its share of concerned parents that are seeking ways to console their sons and daughters over the loss of their beloved guinea pigs. Guineas typically live to be around four to five years, but may live as long as eight years of age. Children are especially vulnerable and need our support and care because the death of a pet can be painful and not easily forgotten. For a child, the loss of a pet can be a very painful experience.

07/30/2014

Cat Safety Prevents the Need for a Cat Urn

Kittens at rescues and the local pound are so hard to resist. Children beg Mom and Dad, and suddenly there is a new family member riding home. So what are some of the things a new cat owner needs to know right away to keep your new kitten, and soon to be cat, safe?

07/20/2014

Study Finds Dogs Get Jealous

Have you ever been away from your home and petted someone else’s dog, only to return home and discover that your own pooch was allegedly very jealous? Did your pet sniff you up one side and down the other? Did you get the “evil” eye? Was it miffed with you? Did it storm away and ignore you? Well, according to a new study it may not have been your imagination, because it appears as if dogs do get jealous.

07/10/2014

The Dangers of Ticks and Fleas to Pets

Typically, dogs and cats scratch more at flea bites than tick bites making them more uncomfortable and more obvious to pet owners. Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis which is an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. The scratching of the flea bitten areas can cause permanent hair loss and other skin problems. In worst cases, fleas feasting on your pet's blood can lead to anemia and, in rare cases, death.

07/02/2014

Protect Your Beloved Pets on July 4th

According to research, eighty percent of pet owners have owned a pet afraid of fireworks. Know when fireworks will be happening in your community and think about how they'll impact your home. Contact your local municipality to find out when your area is likely to have fireworks, which can upset your pets not just because of the noise, but also because of the smell of sulfur, and flashing lights.

06/15/2014

How to Bring a Dog into a Cat’s Home

If you are like most people, when summertime rolls around, there is a chance you will welcome out of town guests – and someone might want to bring their dog. If you have cats, or a cat, then it might pose a problem. Many dogs and cats get along well, especially dogs that are gentle and non-predatory – ones who does not chase squirrels or prey outside. Just remember, cats and dogs, just like people, need time to get to know each other, especially if they have never met before. Instant friendship is unlikely. The younger and more tolerant your cat is and the smaller as well as obedient the dog is, the more likely the two will get along.

06/07/2014

Preventing Your Dog from Drowning

Even though 99% of dogs can swim, most people don’t realize that they can only swim short distances before they become tired. It’s easy for a dog to get too far from the shore and then they tire trying to swim back. Or a dog can fall into a swimming pool and cannot get up the steep sides. When they try to find a spot to get their paws back on the ground, and when they can’t, they often go into a panic. It is the panic that causes them to drown. Worse yet, often times people jump in to save their pets, and to try and save their beloved pets, and then they too risk drowning.

06/02/2014

BEWARE of Online Hype: No Ice Water for Dogs

There is an online story that went viral in 2007 and has resurfaced only to terrify dog owners. Peternity (www.Peternity.com) always strives to help pet owners – especially when it comes to news about life or death with pets. This news involves a blog post about an individual with a show dog named Baran who became ill from eating ice…and he story has once again surfaced on Facebook. The blog post, “NO ICE WATER FOR DOGS… PLEASE READ ASAP” discusses Baran’s near deadly encounter. Even though the article seems very real, even scientific enough to scare the most educated pet owner, the findings behind it are false.

05/27/2014

Tech Toys for Pets and Pet Owners

Most pet owners treat their pets like kids. Our pets are an important part of our families. And it makes sense that there are more and more options for entertaining our pets, and keeping them happy, safe and healthy. In years gone by, all that a dog ever needed was a good bone and maybe a squeaky toy. Well things have changed. Today, people are inventing all kinds of toys to keep dogs busy. Now we don't need to feel guilty about being too busy to play with our pets. In many cases, it's actually more fun to watch them play alone—or with other furry friends.

05/20/2014

Why do Dogs Get Cancer?

The leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 is cancer. The good news is that about half of these cancers are curable if they are caught early. According to the head of the Veterinary Cancer Society, one of the most common cancers is malignant lymphoma, which is a tumor of the lymph nodes. We see mast cell tumors, which is a form of skin cancer. There are mammary gland tumors, or breast cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas. We also see a fair amount of bone cancer in dogs.

05/12/2014

Summertime Dangers to Your Dog

There are always dangers for dogs, but following there are some common summertime dangers, the preventative measures you can take, as well as suggested first aid or treatments for affected dogs. Read these through so you and your pets will be sure to have a happy and safe summer. As always Peternity is here to offer you and your pets tips for a happy, healthy and safe journey in life.

05/01/2014

Helping an Aging Dog with Aching Joints Stay Comfortable

As humans we know the discomforts of aging – creaking joints, sore muscles, and even weakness or not getting a good night’s sleep. But just imagine how aging feels to your pet– whether it be an older dog or a larger breed dog with orthopedic problems. It would be unusual for a dog to live its entire life without experiencing some form of lameness.

04/28/2014

How are Pets Cremated?

Much like humans, pets can be cremated either in usual crematories or the ones that are specifically dedicated for pet cremations. Until the process of cremation begins, the pet will be kept in a refrigerated cooler. The way the cremation process works is that the pet’s body is placed in a cremation unit, and then subjected to extremely high temperatures of up to 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat and vaporization will reduce the physical body of organic matter into dried bones and dust.

04/22/2014

Pet Memorials for Long Lived Cats in Guinness Book of Records

On average cats live lives of 12-15 years. Of course, there are exceptions to that average and it’s all in the Guinness Book of Records. One record of peculiar interest is a story about a cat named Crème Puff who lived with her owner in Austin, Texas. The Longest Living Cat title was held by Creme Puff in Texas who died in August 2005 at age 38, or 169 in human years. According to veterinarians, most cats typically live to around the age of 15 so this is quite impressive.

04/15/2014

Where Are Zoo Animals Buried When They Die?

Every so often someone will ask us here at Peternity what happens to a zoo animal when it dies. Although we’ve done many pet memorials for a wide variety of animals in sanctuaries and animal preserves, we have never done a pet memorial for a zoo animal.

It is almost that time of year again spring and the Easter holiday with symbols that run the gamut from chocolate candy, decorative eggs and pastel decorations, to adorable live chicks and bunny rabbits. In years past many people have purchased these rabbits as pets for their children around this time of year. But just because bunnies are cute and in season does not always mean they’re appropriate pets. Sadly, every year about 80 percent of bunnies that are up for adoption (or worse) at shelters were once purchased as an Easter gift. Today the shelters simply do not have room for them, so often times they are simply euthanized.

Today pet parents are pet owners who treat their four legged friends as if they are family members. During the economic downturn, income levels of consumers fell, so people tightened their belts. Now it is estimated that $58.51 billion will be spent on pets in the US in 2014.

03/22/2014

Pet Owners to Spend $58.51 Billion on Pets in 2014

In 2013 American pet owners spent $55.72 billion on their pets. Estimates for 2014 are around $58.51 compared to 1994 when only $17 million was spent by owners on their pets. The 2014 breakout includes food at $22.62 billion; supplies/OTC medicine at $13.72 billion; Vet care at $15.25 billion; live animal purchases at $2.19 billion; and pet boarding and grooming at $4.73 billion.

03/15/2014

Don’t Let Canine Obesity Lead to a Pet Memorial

Obesity in dogs (and cats) is usually defined at about 30 percent above normal weight. An estimated 45 percent of dogs in the United States are now estimated to be overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Its third annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study found out that overweight dogs increased by 2 percent from 2007 to 2009. The study also revealed that an estimated 6.7 million dogs are obese and 34.9 million overweight. But what’s worse, many pet owners are increasingly classifying their overweight pets as normal, which makes the obesity challenge even more difficult to resolve. An overweight canine is prone many of the very same health risks that obese humans are getting, such as heart disease, diabetes and more.

03/07/2014

What is the Development Cycle of a Dog?

The ancestry for a dog, or canine, goes back in history about 40 million years to a five-toed, animal like a weasel that is otherwise known as a Miacis. This is a tree-climbing carnivore that lived during the Eocene epoch. It was also the forbearer of cats, and a predecessor to the hyena, jackal, and raccoon, as well as the fox and wolf. The one thing these animals all had in common was that they lived in dens.

02/25/2014

How Long Do Dogs Live?

Most of us with dogs have tried adding up how old our pet is in "human' years. But in reality, the seven years to one human year is a myth, or a dog that is 20 would be 140 years old. Even basing the lifespan of your pet on 100 years, a small dog's age would roughly be five years to every human year, so five times 20 would be 100 years. No one formula for a dog to human age conversion has ever been scientifically analyzed.

02/18/2014

New Trend in Pet Memorials: Aerial Ash Scattering

Aerial ash scattering is a new trend in memorializing your beloved pet. Aerial ash scattering professionals cast your loved ones ashes from a private plane over a special area of your choice. A fly over can be coordinated to scatter the cremation ashes at a specified place and time. On clear days a cloud of ashes can be seen from the ground. Most professionals provide a certificate of the time and place, with photographs.

02/10/2014

How Long Do Pet Rabbits Live?

Domestic rabbits are popular pets around spring, especially when associated with the Easter bunny. The challenge is that children often talk their parents into getting a rabbit as a pet around this time of year, and sadly, the pets die from neglect. Unfortunately, Peternity has created many pet grave markers over the years for family pet rabbits.

02/04/2014

Premature Pet Memorials: Death by Foods and Food Allergies

Did you know that there are some foods that can cause death in dogs? Many people already know that feeding chocolate to a dog can kill them, but did you know that grapes, garlic or onions and even bacon can as well? Peternity www.peternity.com sees pet deaths caused by many different things, but one of the most crushing is when humans feed the wrong thing to their beloved pet, causing a toxic reaction and subsequent death. Many foods can cause a toxic condition in your dog. But here are some of them, along with a few of the symptoms to watch for.

01/25/2014

2014 Pet Industry Trends

The pet industry just keeps on growing bigger every year. During the year 2013 small dog owners grew to 49 percent. Medium to larger dog ownership decreased by one and two percent due to the fact that many older pet owners require a more manageable and smaller pet. What’s more, according to MarketResearch.com, 83 percent of pet owners consider their pet a member of the family which is why the pet industry continues to experience growth, as outlined in its Packaged Facts' report entitled U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2013-2014.

01/12/2014

How Training Your Dog Can Save its Life

A well behaved dog is usually a happy dog, but definitely a happy dog owner. There are many reasons why people train their dogs including behavioral issues, being around children, housebreaking, and of course showing a purebred dog, but probably the most important reason to train your pet is for its own safety.

01/05/2014

2014 Pet Health Care Trends: Massage Therapy

Every year the pet industry is growing in size and attention. People in the United States love their pets. In fact, many pets, especially dogs, cats, and horses are participating in many of the same health treatments that humans do. Peternity (http://www.peternity.com) enjoys sharing the latest trends to you keep your pets as healthy as possible. A big pet care trend for 2014 is massage therapy, which is enhancing the quality of life for many pets – from dogs, cats and bunnies to horses. This therapy can ease stiffness and pain many older pets have, and can relieve some of the tension in their muscles.

12/24/2013

What is Pyoderma in Dogs?

Pyoderma - also known as canine superficial pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection that can occur when your dog’s skin's surface has been injured. Staphylococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) is the correct medical term for this skin condition which causes a red rash with bumps -- typically around and or inside the ears (left), the chin and neck area, under the arms, or around the genital areas in dogs – basically anywhere where there is moisture or folds of skin. Typically most dogs presented with superficial pyoderma have lesions that appear on the trunk of their bodies.

12/10/2013

Premature Pet Memorials Caused by Holiday Dangers for Pets

One urban myth is that poinsettias are deadly to pets. This is simply not true. The Animal Poison Control Center for the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA) clarifies the fact that these plants when nibbled might cause some mild vomiting for pets, but they are not toxic. However, did you know that holly or mistletoe is worse? These can cause serious diarrhea vomiting, and even heart issues! Holly is known to cause severe gastrointestinal problems.

12/04/2013

Where do Pet Memorials Fit in Overall U.S. Pet Industry Spending?

In 2009 a group of researchers from the University of Hawaii’s animal science department conducted a research study to determine the level of grief and stress that a pet owner typically experiences when a pet dies. There were 52 percent out of 106 pet owners who had lost one or more pets from natural causes; while 37 percent had lost a pet due to euthanasia. Most pet owners experience a substantial amount of grief when a pet dies, and 30 percent reported their grief to last at least six months, while 12 percent experienced major disruption to their lives from the grief of pet loss. Severe grief that resulted in major life disruption was less common but was estimated as high as 12 percent of those studied.

11/25/2013

The Latest Pet Health Care Trends – Pet Massage and Acupressure

Today’s pets are enjoying many of the same luxuries and health regimens that humans do. Peternity (www.peternity.com) enjoys sharing the latest trends that can help keep our pets healthy for as long as they live. One of the latest trends in the pet care industry, massage therapy, enhances the quality of life for most animals. This form of therapy also helps ease pain and any stiffness and relieves the tension in a pet’s muscles. Just like massage is a healthy alternative therapy for humans, cats and dogs will benefit from massage therapy as well.

11/17/2013

Does Your Pet Need to See a Veterinarian?

When your pet has had a little mishap or if he or she is just not quite themselves, the decision of whether to take them to the veterinarian or not can be a tough decision. Peternity (www.peternity.com) has heard all too many unfortunate stories about pets that were not given the proper medical attention and ended up not living out as long of lives as they could have. It is very important to learn these symptoms, and when in doubt seek medical attention to be sure your pet is safe and healthy.

11/10/2013

Biodegradable, Eco-Friendly Pet Memorial Urns

If burying your pet’s remains in a box or coffin is not right for you, cremation is another option to preserving your pets memory. Cremation is becoming more and more popular today for both people and pets, as space becomes less available. Consequently, at Peternity.com, dog urns, and cat urns are becoming more and more popular. And for the eco-minded, there are some wonderful biodegradable pet urns that will not harm the environment.

11/05/2013

Peternity Offers Facts About Kidney Disease in Cats

When pets age, they often suffer from common senior diseases that humans also get, sadly leading to death. For instance, 80 to 90 percent of senior dogs and cats suffer from arthritis, but the reality is that the most frequent causes of death in cats and dogs are kidney disease and cancer. Peternity hears many of these sad stories from customers and would like to share some facts to help cat lovers understand this issues of kidney disease.

10/20/2013

FDA Wants to Solve Pet Deaths Related to Jerky Treat Mystery

This last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked veterinarians and pet owners worldwide to help them solve the mystery of why jerky treats coming predominantly out of China since 2007 have made more than 3,600 cats and dogs sick, and reportedly killed close to 600 of them. The numbers lean more towards dog deaths, and have increased since January 2013. The FDA is seeking case details and needs blood, tissue and urine samples from affected pets, and is willing to pay for the cost of the tests.

10/15/2013

Kidoodlyrocks Help Kids through the Grieving Process of Pet Loss

For most children, their first experience in death and loss is the loss of the family pet. Traumatic for many adults, this can also be very traumatic for children. The online leader in pet memorials, Peternity.com, has come up with a very thoughtful solution for this delicate life event called Kidoodlyrocks.

10/08/2013

Pet Memorial Tips: How to Bury Your Pet Cat

Most cats can live to be well over 15 and into their 20’3 if they remain healthy. But sadly, there will be a time when you will need to say good bye to your pet, and you will want to know how to safely dispose of the remains and also honor your cat’s life. Peternity, a leading online pet memorial website, can help in several ways, including these instructions for how to bury your pet cat when it dies.

10/01/2013

Do Dogs Get Alzheimer’s Disease or “Doggie Dementia”?

If your dog begins to exhibit signs such as disorientation, confusion, wandering around or even pacing, these symptoms could be the onset of CCDS. Dogs may also experience sleeplessness at night and simply staring off into space or getting "stuck" in corners or small spaces.

09/20/2013

Choosing a Cat Urn When the Family Pet Dies

Peternity cares deeply about helping families walk the path of grief when they have lost a beloved pet. Losing a pet is likely a highly traumatic experience for most children many of whom can’t even remember a time in their lives without their pet. Peternity (http://www.peternity.com) knows how important it is for a parent to handle the grieving process. What a parent does or does not do can determine whether the experience has a positive or negative effect on your child.

09/15/2013

How Do Pets Deal with Death?

When a family pet dies, the humans are usually concerned most with how the children in the household are dealing with their grief. We often forget that our pets form bonds with other animals in the home – whether it is a dog befriending another dog, a cat, or sometimes it can even be an odd couple such as a cat becoming friends with the family bunny rabbit.

09/10/2013

Various Types of Pet Headstones

With so many more Americans adopting pets every year, the industry’s need for quality pet products is also on the rise, and one of those items includes pet headstones. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that there are now more than 78.2 million dogs owned in the U.S., and 12 percent of owners have three or more dogs. The number is even when it comes to male versus female dogs. Along with the growth in pet ownership, there are now more than 291 pet cemeteries in the U.S.

09/05/2013

Making the Difficult Decision to Euthanize Your Pet

One of the saddest things about owning pets – dogs, cats, horses, or anything in between, is that they simply do not live as long as humans. This eventually puts us in the tough position of making that dreaded decision about ending a pet’s life. This can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make for your pet. Peternity is here to help.

08/30/2013

Coping with the Trauma of Losing the Family Pet

Losing a pet is a traumatic experience for anyone young or old. Peternity, an online pet memorial company, cares deeply about helping families walk the path of grief and loss of a pet. This pet memorial website carries a variety of beautiful pet urns – from special handcrafted cat urns, to dog urns, and caskets for pets.

08/25/2013

Pet Memorials and Burial in the Backyard

For centuries, people with pets have had to face the sad reality that sooner or later their pet will die. In the past in the United States, it has been customary to bury our beloved pets in the back yard or on your own property. Today, there are so many more options for our pets due to the fact that many people are more transient and families tend to move more often. In this case, along with the popularity of the Internet, today, many people search online for solutions when it comes to a pet memorial.

08/20/2013

Pet Memorial Website: Peternity Helps Kids through Grieving Process

If a family has pets, there will be that inevitable day when you must say goodbye forever. Whether it is a fish, hamster, or a cat or dog or horse, the loss of a pet can be a significant life experience for children. It is really important for parents and other family members to have support in coping with these losses. At Peternity.com, the premiere pet memorial website for celebrating a pet’s life, the advice is kind and loving as well as practical.

08/15/2013

How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet

Today so many families have pets that are considered like members of their families. When a pet dies, the experience hits people of various ages differently. Grief is normal and just like grief for humans the grief for beloved animal companion can only be dealt with over time.

08/10/2013

Pet Aftercare is on the Upswing

As part of the natural pet burial movement there are now eco-friendly containers such as pine boxes that are biodegradable – a greener solution than plastic boxes. Along with original artisan crafted pet urns, and wood pet urns, one can find a number of unique eco-friendly pet urns at Peternity (http://www.peternity.com), the online leader in pet memorials since 2003.

08/05/2013

Pet Memorials Help People Get through the Five Stages of Grief

It is called bereavement – the natural response process of grieving and emotional suffering you experience when the pet you love has been taken away. The truth is that no matter what culture or country one is from, there is no right or wrong way for a person to grieve the death of a loved one, however there are many different ways that have been proven through the ages to help us cope with the pain of loss, so that eventually we can accept the death and move on.

05/05/2010

Choosing the Right Pet Casket

The biggest deciding factor in choosing the right pet casket is to first determine whether it's more important that the casket will remain intact in the earth for a long time, or that the casket is eco-friendly. These two options are completely different directions to go in, and this choice marks an important distinction in your decision making process.

01/13/2010

Churches Respond to the Spiritual Needs of Dogs

Over 500 different churches nationwide offer blessings for animals. Services are also becoming increasingly pet-centric, like Covenant for Canines, complete with dog beds, a special series of prayers for canines, and dog treats.

03/10/2009

Healing from Pet Loss with Bach Flower Essences

Losing a pet is hard. It's not only the loss of a dear and loyal friend, but also, oftentimes the loss of a major source of unconditional love, affection and comfort. We get so attached to our pets that when they are no longer in our lives, the steadfastness of their love and friendship still remains in our hearts. Often we are blindsided by the depth and intensity of our grief when we lose our pets. It's hard to find our way through the difficult emotions and find a sense of peace and forward movement. When we are unable to let go of the intense emotions surrounding our loss, and get stuck in thoughts of the past, unable to accept and be in the present, it is often a good time to consider trying flower remedies and essences.

01/29/2009

Pet Loss Prevention: Cat Health Care

Did you know that when dogs and cats live in the same home that dogs receive more healthcare than cats? It&rsquo;s alright for the behavior of cats to be a mystery, but their health shouldn't be. Despite the cat's status as America&rsquo;s number one pet (there are more than 82 million felines in U.S. homes), according to the Catalyst Council, cats receive less veterinary care and research than dogs. . The number of pet cats in the U.S. exceeds pet dogs by 10 million, but cats do not receive nearly the same amount of veterinary care as dogs do, and scientists are busier studying dog health issues than they are feline health issues.

01/21/2009

Pet Loss and Disenfranchised Grief

Many people don't understand the enormous emotional burden that losing a pet can create. According to research from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the grieving process that follows the loss of a pet can closely resemble the process experienced by people who have lost a family member or close friend.

01/06/2009

5 Tips for Helping Your Child with the Loss of a Pet

How do you answer your child's questions about where their pet goes when he/she dies? I feel that I've slowly been learning that it's okay to not have an answer. I don't really know what heaven is like or where it actually is. How do you explain what a soul or a spirit is to a child? Here are 5 tips to help you navigate through these difficult conversations.

10/08/2008

Dogs that Lick and Chew

Nonstop licking and chewing on your pet's own flesh could have serious, if not deadly, results. A transition from excessive grooming to self-mutilation occurs when a clinically significant lesion appears on a dog's body, and then the animal licks itself to the point of abrasion. A few dogs don&rsquo;t make it and die, causing their owners grief not to mention an unexpected pet memorial.

09/21/2008

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats

Just like humans, our pets often have complications with their urinary systems. Serious ailments such as upper tract disorders are most common, while acute renal failure can progress quickly and lead to death when left untreated. The upper and lower tracts are both prone to serious malfunctions. To avoid an unexpected death and subsequent pet memorial, it is wise to know all the facts.

09/14/2008

A Tribute to Merle’s Door: More than Just a Pet Memorial

Best-selling book, Merle&rsquo;s Door, Lessons from a Freethinking Dog not only offers readers fascinating facts about the evolution of dogs and human relationships, but it is also one of the highest tributes to a dog ever published; it is a biography of Merle, not just a pet memorial. Author Ted Kerasote&rsquo;s story takes place in Kelly, Wyoming, where he and Merle spent time outdoors hunting, fishing and enjoying nature together.

09/08/2008

The History of Cremation and Pet Urns

Today's scholars agree that cremation began during the early Stone Age -- around 3000 B.C. -- and most likely in both the Near East and in the late Stone Age across northern Europe. It has also been determined that people from around the world have honored pets upon their death and buried them in cremation pet urns at pet cemeteries for centuries.

08/25/2008

How Long will Your Dog Live?

We've all had thoughts about wishing our dogs could live longer lives and not wanting another pet because their death is too painful. If you are in the market for a new dog, here is some information from Peternity.com on the life expectancy of dogs that could help in this decision making process.

08/19/2008

Is Your Dog Bouncing Off Walls?

High energy dogs can get revved up and sometimes they just can't stop. There is usually a reason for this kind of behavior, and it is dangerous. In fact, many people have mourned the death of an over anxious pet, and the last thing anyone wants is to have to buy is a pet urn when it could have been prevented.

08/06/2008

Sudden Deaths of Dogs Prompts Consumer Affairs Investigation

There is another series of reports about mysterious illness and death in dogs from people who have pets that ate Nutro pet food. The report is listed on the Consumer Affairs website. Peternity.com wishes to offer condolences to these families, and a discount on pet memorial services and products like pet urns, pet memorial stones and statues, pet portrait art and pet keepsake boxes.

07/31/2008

Sudden Death of a Cat

Many cat lovers know about sudden death syndrome, forcing them to have thought about pet memorials long before their pet may actually die. A frightening experience for anyone, the most common reason for sudden death in cats includes either cardiomyopathy or heartworm disease.

07/21/2008

Adopting After Losing a Pet

If you and your family have experienced the loss of a pet, or if your pet is getting older, the first thing that often comes to mind is whether or not to get another pet. And then the questions start stacking up: Should we wait or get a new pet right away? Should we wait until the older pet dies and have a pet memorial for the kids first? Would getting a new pet traumatize the older one? Often times, when one pet is getting old, and children are fond of the animal, it's a good idea to go ahead and think about introducing a new pet.

07/13/2008

A True Pet Memorial: Dog Mountain Art Gallery and Chapel

There's something remarkable about someone who loves dogs so much that he would create an art gallery and chapel devoted to them. Aside from the fact that his hand-carved furniture, sculpture, and woodcut prints are in the Smithsonian Institution, American Folk Art Museum, and in private collections worldwide, artist Stephen Huneck has also written six children's books and two adult books including The Dog Chapel. A truly inspirational story that celebrates man and his best friend via pet memorial art, Huneck's near-death experience turned into a soul lifting experience that has given joy to many over the years.

07/07/2008

Hand Painted Memorials by Master Artist Laura Glusha

Laura Glusha is a master artist and illustrator who co-authored the successful book called "Suck-a-toe" about the rehabilitation of an abused baby monkey at the Los Angeles Zoo. Now the master artist is creating hand painted pet memorials for Peternity.

06/27/2008

Animals in Art throughout History Worldwide

Animals have always played an important part in art, from the first known cave art in Northern Spain dating back 17,000 years to the art of medieval times until today on everything from drawings and paintings to jewelry. From carved lions guarding tombs to cats painted on Egyptian cat urns, animal art has been portrayed in a variety of mediums worldwide.

06/25/2008

A Tribute to Our Pets Aging Processes

We have all been party to trying to remember and figure out how old "in dog years" or "in cat years" our pets are and comparing that to "human years." A figure that is commonly used is seven years for each calendar year. For example, it's common belief that one human year equals seven dog years. After all, this information is important as we want to honor our animals at their pet memorials upon their death. The oldest living animals include elephants who live to be as old as 70 years of age. Kambakuo, the Tsonga word for old elephant bull, lived from 1930 to 1985. One of the Kruger National Park "Magnificent Seven," the elephant died at the age of more than 55.

06/10/2008

Avoid Pet Memorials: Summertime Safety for Your Pets

You and your family, including pets, will probably be spending more time outdoors in the yard this summer. But the new season can also bring along dangers for our pets, and the last thing you would want is to have an accident, and subsequent death of one of your beloved pets along with a summertime pet memorial.

05/27/2008

Man's Best Friend: A Dog's Eyesight

Have you ever wondered exactly what your pets see, or what happens when a dog goes blind? Dogs experience many of the same physical and mental changes that humans do. Their hearing and vision often deteriorates, and as sad as it may seem, sometimes older dogs do sometimes need to be put to sleep. Being prepared with ideas for a pet memorial can help the humans get over the grief of losing their pet.

05/15/2008

Trends: Pet Memorial Paintings by Denice Lewis Honor Pets

Artist Denice Lewis didn't start out to be an artist with the thought in mind to honor loved ones who had passed on. But today, this former super model turned a series of debilitating diseases into something positive and what is now a worldwide trend. This is the genesis of Lewis' ongoing Tribute Series of paintings. Truly many people are commissioning tribute paintings of their loved ones, for both people and pets.

05/06/2008

Pet Memorials at Hinsdale Animal Cemetery in Illinois

Among the popular animal cemeteries in the United States, Hinsdale Animal Cemetery was established in the year 1926 in Hinsdale, Illinois. The final resting place for thousands of pets, blue blooded prize winners lie side by side with those who boast no pedigree whatsoever. The important thing is that their owners loved them so much that they created a pet memorial for their beloved friend.

04/28/2008

Pet Memorial and Tribute to Andy Warhols Dogs and Cats

Known as a lifetime collector, after his death Andy Warhol's estate was one of the largest ever sponsored and sold by Sotheby's. Among his collection were animal taxidermies including a lion, peacock, penguin, a moose head, and his stuffed Great Dane, Cecil who it was rumored was named for a possible former owner, Cecil B. Demille.

04/25/2008

Being Prepared: First Aid for Pets

It is important to keep a first aid kit for your pet easily accessible both at home and in your car when traveling for your pet's well being. It is also just as important for your well being to have pet memorial keepsake box to remember your pet long after he has passed on.

03/31/2008

Animal Communicators Help People with Pet Memorials after Death

Native Americans and the Aboriginal cultures are known for communicating with animals. Animal communicators believe that individual animals, just like individual human beings, have their own thoughts about life on this planet. In fact, animal communicators help people every day to absolve their grief through rituals such as pet memorials, and after death animal communication.

03/25/2008

Pet Memorials: Popular Pet Cemeteries in Europe

Pet cemeteries are not new to history. For centuries people from around the world have honored pets upon their death and buried their beloved friends with pet memorial stones or in pet cremation urns. In 1986 Laurence Stager's archaeological team discovered the ancient pet cemetery of Ascalon in the Gaza Strip controlled by Israel containing the remains of over 1000 dogs. In France, there is Le Cimetière des Chiens D'Asnières-Sur-Seine on the Seine.

03/21/2008

Eco-friendly Pet Cremation Urns Preserve the Memory of Beloved Pets

Memorializing pets has grown in popularity and people are now adopting more creative ways to preserve the memory of their beloved pets. Many seek new ways that they can honor their cherished friends with artistic pet memorials. The latest trend includes pet urns that are eco-friendly and blend with the home. There are a number of successful pet cremation urn artists springing forth like Métis Design & Culture who are designing environmentally friendly art that blends high-end industrial design and technology with traditional materials and ancient techniques.

Peternity Founder Colleen Mihelich and her team are always on the lookout for unique, handcrafted pieces of art to help her customers express their love, joy and memories of beloved pets who have passed on. Recently, Mihelich discovered a new artist named Alyson Whitney, who is nationally recognized for her bright colored, whimsical fine hand-painted pottery. Whitney's vibrant pet urns have been added to the website which features custom pet products including pet memorial stones and grave markers, garden statue and headstone pet memorials, and custom engraved glasswork.

02/25/2008

The Life and Death of a Dog

Dogs trace their ancestry back about 40 million years to a five-toed, animal like a weasel known as Miacis, a tree-climbing carnivore. Peternity.com's Founder Colleen Mihelich knows, small or medium-size dogs usually live to be around 15 years of age, and large dogs live to be about ten years old.

02/18/2008

The Cherished Cat: 9,500 Year Old Human and Pet Memorial

The earliest evidence of cat domestication is from ancient, and many experts believe that the Egyptians probably tamed and bred felines to produce a distinct species by the 20th or 19th century B.C. Cats are known to be cherished as our companions, worshipped as idols, and used for pest control and good luck. That's why there are so many people who pay tribute and honor their beloved cats upon their passing, according to Peternity.com Founder, Colleen Mihelich.

01/29/2008

Pet Memorials and Pet Burial Laws

Today, over sixty per cent of American households have pets. We spend an estimated $34 billion dollars each year through the pet industry, including services, goods, and the animals themselves. Of the thousands of pets that die each day, less than 200 are buried in pet cemeteries. Many people simply place the cremains of their beloved pets in special pet memorials such as unique pet urns, or even special dog urns or cat urns.

01/23/2008

Pet Memorials Gained Acceptance during Battlefields of World War I

Canine warriors have served as sentries, scouts or messengers since ancient times. But historically, it wasn't until after many dogs were reported to perform acts of heroism on the battlefields of World War I, including the Red Cross dogs, that the concept of pet memorial and the burial of our pets in pet urns and caskets gained wider acceptance. Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory is America's oldest and most prestigious pet memorial and burial grounds.

01/16/2008

Cremation and Pet Memorials: Options upon the Death of Your Pet

When a person dies, most people already have the plans formulated about what to do. The funeral, cremation versus burial, are usually already planned. Yet when a pet dies, most of us are simply not informed as to how to handle it. Today there are a number of ways in which we can choose to honor our pets via pet memorials. At Peternity.com you will find a wide selection of pet grave markers, pet cremations urns, pet keepsake boxes, pet memorial jewelry, pet portraits, and much more.

01/14/2008

Pet Grief and Pet Mourning - Aren't They the Same?

Grieving the loss of our pets and loved ones is very difficult. Where does one begin? How does one move through grief? We tend to assume that grieving and mourning are the same thing, but there is a very important, and helpful, distinction to draw between the two.

11/19/2007

Pet Loss and the Holiday Blues

What can you do for a friend who is grieving over the loss of a pet this holiday season? Here are some helpful ideas to help ease the pain of absence during the holidays.